ASTM International Committee C24 on Building Seals and Sealants is now working on a proposed new standard, WK6920, Fatigue Resistance of Structural Silicone. The standard, which is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Subcommittee C24.20 on General Sealant Standards, is intended to serve as an enhancement to current performance requirements for structural silicones and to help users ascertain that current and new products are sufficiently resilient to withstand years of fatigue imposed on systems by thermal expansion and contraction, as well as other imposed loads.

According to Errol Bull, technical marketing engineer, GE Advanced Materials, Silicones, WK6920 will increase the safety level in silicone structural glazing construction. "Since SSG construction techniques can have life safety implications, such as falling glass, to pedestrians and building occupants, it is imperative to allow only products that have a performance profile that can withstand the loads imposed to such a system and which can withstand such loads for the duration of the intended service life," says Bull. "This standard can screen out products that are not appropriate for use in SSG systems."

Bull also notes that each structural silicone adhesive/sealant has a unique property profile and that fatigue is a characteristic that has not yet been addressed within the ASTM performance requirements for such materials.

All interested parties are invited to participate in the further development of WK6920. For more information, visit the ASTM International Web site and enter "WK6920" in the site search box on the home page, www.astm.org/.

For further technical information, contact Errol Bull, GE Advanced Materials, Waterford, N.Y. (phone: 518/233-3443; errol.bull@ge.com). Committee E06 meets June 12-16, during June Committee Week, in Reno, Nev. For membership or meeting details, contact Scott Orthey, ASTM International (phone: 610/832-9730; sorthey@astm.org).

Release #7086